If your house is built with wooden beams or siding, it's very attractive to termites. They can't tell the difference between a tree in the woods and a dwelling for humans. And they don't care. But since you do, here are a few simple tips to keep termites from taking a bite out of your house.
So many termite problems are caused by stacking firewood up against the house. The rule of thumb is, don't let your firewood touch the soil. Or even come close. You're better off storing it in a rack that's several inches above the ground. Some experts recommend placing the firewood rack on a concrete slab.
Termites love tree roots. If you remove a tree, it's a good idea to have a tree service take out the root system, too. Also, if you are aware of a place where a tree once stood, it's worthwhile digging up the old root system.
To keep your wooden deck from becoming termite fodder, be sure that the support beams touch concrete instead of dirt. That will help your deck remain less susceptible to termites while resisting rot.
The real key to protecting your house from termites is to keep wood and moisture as far away from each other as possible. Damp basements attract termites because of the moisture. If they find wood, they'll stick around. Also, overflowing gutters make the adjoining wood stay damp too long, increasing the risk of termites.
You can help prevent termites from coming too close to your house by laying down a barrier around your home's foundation. By using Ortho® Home Defense MAX® Termite and Destructive Bug Killer Concentrate (trenching and non-trenching), you can create a chemical barrier, keeping termites out. The trenching product keeps termites away up to 5 years in areas treated.*
*Not in MA, NY and RI
